Throwback Thursday: This week in 1958, Toronto Maple Leafs hire Punch Imlach as general manager

This week in 1958 (Nov. 21), the Toronto Maple Leafs hired Punch Imlach as general manager. Only eight days later, he took over bench duties too as the clubs head coach.

He became only the third general manager in club history and then the 18th head coach.

Imlach would lead the Leafs to four Stanley Cups in the 1960s with championships in 1962, 1963, 1964 and lastly, 1967. The Leafs have yet to win a cup since then.

He was known as a hard-nosed coach with a penchant for his ageing veterans, many of whom felt Imlach was their last chance at a championship.

Overall, Imlach coached the Leafs to a 370-275-125 record over 770 before being fired by the club after the 1969 season. He helped usher in the Buffalo Sabres to the NHL coaching them in their first two seasons in the league.

He later coached 10 games in the 1979-80 season for the Leafs.

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